Water in the fuel tank?

[steveslugger]

Hi all,

I've been a member of this site for quite a while, lingering quietly in the back-ground. Thank-you for all the useful tips and advice, which have, thus far, solved all of my problems. However...

After a fault free 300 mile round trip (Plymouth to Bristol and back) my bike spluttered and died, just 5 miles from home

I have searched throughout the forum and can find no info about this particular fault, except for this one thread - diversionclub.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=600&action=display&thread=5450

The symptoms described are the same (and it was raining on the way up) so i'm pretty sure i have managed to get water into the tank, but before I (and my old man if I'm being honest) start taking the bike apart, are there any other possible solutions, please?

Many thanks in advance for your advice.

[Padster]

Hi. Have a quick check of the condition of the main ignition connectors by disconnecting them as this is a common problem. I have had the main (red) feed wire from the ignition switch corrode through on both the 600 and 900 Divvy. It was only when I took the connectors apart that the problem became obvious.

[amorti]

Start by getting your fingers under the tank and tugging the drain hose. It's quite thin bore, and I have had it kink and end up so that water didn't run out, but back in to the tank. I ended up with quite a lot in there.

If I may make a guess - did it start spluttering shortly after you switched on to reserve?

Here's what I ended up with when draining my tank out - it's probably about a litre of water. I scooped the fuel off the top and re-used it, mixed with a rest of the tank of super. I don't like waste!

[steveslugger]

Thanks for your advice guys.

My baby is running just fine again now ;D ;D ;D

We emptied and cleaned out the fuel tank and fuel filter which were both full of muck and water, and drained a fair bit of water out of the carbs too. Cleared out the drain line to ensure water doesn't collect in the tank again.

[CD]

This seems to be more of an issue on bikes stored outside. *thinks* - is the tank filler cap seal part of the problem?

[rossm]

I think so as mine has water in it around the filler cap when it's been raining, think I might look into how much Yamaha want for a new seal (if you can get them seperate from the cap that is)

[CD]

I have a cheap nylon bike cover that cost about £10. Its not supposed to be water proof, but it can collect puddles and is at least as good as a tent outer sheet. I reckon it keeps 95% off the bike. It also allows the bike to dry better than fully waterproof and being woven wont split in cold weather.

I bought it for the 600 but its ok on the 900.

[rossm]

Grr, rolled up at the petrol station this morning and couldn't open the cap, seized up solid.

Had to turn round and head home, thankfully got some graphite grease at home at worked it into the lock which freed it up, but gave me a right old heart scare

[CD]

Looks like you found your water "supply".